Oxford Labour councillor Bill Buckingham has announced he will not stand in the May elections, after more than 50 years representing Rose Hill, Littlemore and Iffley in local government.

The 86-year-old joined Littlemore Parish Council in 1952 and in 2002, a seat was erected in recognition of his service in the parish church of St Mary and St Nicholas.

He became a district councillor in 1962 on what was then the Bullingdon Rural District Council, representing Littlemore and Rose Hill. He held his seat when the council became South Oxford District Council in 1974 and through to 1990 when boundary changes moved the area into Oxford. In 1992 he was elected deputy Lord Mayor, sheriff in 1993 and Lord Mayor in 1994. He was also a magistrate for six years.

Mr Buckingham, who lives in Rose Hill, said: "I'm very saddened to be standing down and shall miss the argy-bargy of the council, but age catches up with you.

"If I was to stand and be re-elected, I'd be 90 when I finished and I'm not doing that!"

He said he was particularly proud of what he had achieved with Rose Hill Community Centre.

A member of the management committee since 1950, he helped to get the current centre built when the old one, in Ashurst Way, was burned down, and has been instrumental in its forthcoming redevelopment, as part of the Orlits rebuild project.

Mr Buckingham said: "My hopes are that I shall be allowed to see the improvements on the Rose Hill estate, with the new houses going up to replace the Orlits and the revamped community centre.

"If that happens in my lifetime, I shall die a happy person. I shall still be at the centre every morning and I expect people will still come in and see me and I will be able to direct them to where they need to be."

His colleague Ed Turner, who also represents Rose Hill and Iffley on the city council, said: "So much that's happened on the estate is down to Bill."

Liz Pladdys, chairman of Rose Hill Residents and Tenants Association, said: "It will be quite upsetting to see him go, but I think he deserves a rest.

"He's done so much in the community centre when the old one was burned down he even held committee meetings in his living room. He's been really, really good, but I suppose all good things must come to an end."